Three Aruba organizations serving people with intellectual disabilities have completed a legal and operational merger under one organization, Fundacion Sonrisa.
Three services join one structure
Asociacion Sonrisa, Fundacion Ambiente Nobo and Fundacion Trampolin pa Trabao signed the notarial merger deed on August 22, according to the organizations’ announcement. Their existing activities, employees and projects will continue under the Fundacion Sonrisa name.
The groups previously focused on different stages of care and support. Sonrisa began in 1990 and later opened an after-school service, Ambiente Nobo was established in 2004 for older adults with intellectual disabilities, and Trampolin pa Trabao began in 2009 to support employment integration and job coaching.
Combined model covers multiple life stages
The Fundacion Sonrisa merger introduces what the organization calls a lifelong-care model, extending from prenatal and early-childhood support through youth, employment integration and specialized support for older clients.
General director Caroll J. Kock said the merged organization intends to support clients, families and caregivers throughout those stages. The new governance model includes a one-tier board, a supervisory council and a quality council intended to keep clients and families involved in service improvement.
Source: 24ora.
